Automatic network selection methods and apparatus using a steered PLMN

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus for automatically selecting a wireless communication network by user equipment using a “steered” PLMN are disclosed. A home network identification, a list of prioritized roaming network identifications, and a steered network identification are stored in memory (e.g. a SIM or USIM) of the user equipment. In an automatic network selection procedure, a scanning operation is performed to receive one or more network identifications corresponding to one or more available wireless communication networks in a coverage area. The user equipment attempts to select a wireless communication network in the coverage area by comparing the received network identifications from the scanning operation with the steered network identification. If a match between a received network identification and the steered network identification is identified, a wireless communication network corresponding to the received network identification that matches the steered network identification is selected and registered with by the user equipment. This procedure is performed in lieu of use of the list of prioritized roaming network identifications of the user equipment. By setting the steered network identification via an over-the-air programming procedure when necessary (e.g. on a per region basis), a home network operator may “steer” user equipment to any desired network immediately and efficiently.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Technology The present invention relates generally toautomatic network selection techniques for mobile stations operating inwireless communication networks.

2. Description of the Related Art

For a variety of reasons, a home network operator (e.g. a home publicland mobile network or HPLMN in 3GPP parlance) may have a need todynamically control which networks their subscribers connect to whenroaming either in the home country or abroad. For example, the HPLMNoperator may have a need to direct its subscribers roaming in country Ato be served by network X. This need may arise for commercial reasons,and at certain times it may be beneficial for an operator to ensure thatall of their roaming subscribers be directed to one specific network, toensure that some contractual criteria is met. Another reason is due tonetwork fault conditions. A temporary fault may mean that one network ina given country is unable to offer all of its services to a HPLMN'sroaming subscribers. Therefore, the HPLMN operator may have a need todirect its roaming subscribers towards other networks in the countrywhich can offer a full range of service. By way of example, it is notuncommon today for General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) to be temporarilyunavailable in a certain Visited PLMN (VPLMN). Yet another reason isbased on network load sharing. For example, the HPLMN operator maydecide that it wants 40% of its roaming subscribers in a country onnetwork X, 35% on network Y, and 25% on network Z.

The current 3GPP standard specifies that user equipment (UE) shallselect the highest priority network as defined in a Preferred PLMN(PPLMN) list stored in a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) or UniversalSubscriber Identity Module (USIM). If dynamic control were to beachieved through use of the PPLMN list, the HPLMN operator would have toupdate the entire PPLMN list for each subscriber using an over-the-air(OTA) programming mechanism, which requires a large number of ShortMessage Service (SMS) messages. The large overhead required to updateall of the PPLMN lists for the roaming subscribers may be prohibitive.Further, if network load sharing is needed, the HPLMN would have tomaintain PPLMN lists on a per subscriber basis. Maintaining such PPLMNlists, however, adds significant overhead with respect to configurationmanagement.

Existing solutions which direct subscribers to a particular networkwhile roaming involve the spoofing of network reject messages by theHPLMN operator when the user equipment makes connection attempts toVPLMNs as per the PPLMN list. The network reject messages are sent viaeach selected VPLMN until the desired VPLMN, as identified by the HPLMNoperator, is reached. Although this technique directs user equipment tospecific VPLMNs desired by the HPLMN operator, as apparent it involves awasteful use of network resources each time such selection is needed.

Accordingly, what are needed are methods and apparatus which overcomethe deficiencies of the prior art.

SUMMARY

Methods and apparatus for automatically selecting a wirelesscommunication network by user equipment using a “steered” PLMN aredescribed. A home network identification, a list of prioritized roamingnetwork identifications, and a steered network identification are storedin memory (e.g. a SIM or USIM) of the user equipment. In an automaticnetwork selection procedure, a scanning operation is performed toreceive one or more network identifications corresponding to one or moreavailable wireless communication networks in a coverage area. The userequipment attempts to select a wireless communication network in thecoverage area by comparing the received network identifications from thescanning operation with the steered network identification. If a matchbetween a received network identification and the steered networkidentification is identified, a wireless communication networkcorresponding to the received network identification that matches thesteered network identification is selected and registered with by theuser equipment. This procedure is performed in lieu of or prior to useof the list of prioritized roaming network identifications of the userequipment. By setting the steered network identification via anover-the-air programming procedure when necessary (e.g. on a per regionbasis), a home network operator may “steer” user equipment to anydesired network immediately and efficiently.

One illustrative technique for use in steering user equipment to asteered wireless communication network by network equipment of awireless communication network which is a home communication network ofthe user equipment includes the acts of identifying that the userequipment is operating in one region of a plurality of roaming regionsthrough a visited wireless communication network of the roaming region;and causing a steered network identification corresponding to a steeredwireless communication network of the roaming region to be sent throughthe visited wireless communication network to the user equipment, sothat the steered wireless communication network is selected in anautomatic network selection procedure of the user equipment. The steerednetwork identification may be sent in a message, such as a Short MessageService (SMS) message, or an over-the-air programming procedure.Multiple methods of providing the steered network identification to theuser equipment are feasible and, in addition to SMS, may include thedefinition of new signaling messages, the use of USSD (UnstructuredSupplementary Service Data) (see 3GPP TS 22.090), and the adaptation ofexisting signaling systems such as MAP (Mobile Application Part).

In an alternative arrangement the user equipment may be provisioned withinformation (such as an internet URL or other) that will enable it toretrieve the steered network identification without the homecommunication network having to send the information. This may beretrieved from a web site, database or other information store providedby the home communications network or in certain circumstances by athird party.

Other additional and alternative advantageous features are described inthe detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of present invention will now be described by way of examplewith reference to attached figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram which illustrates pertinent components of auser equipment and a wireless communication network;

FIG. 2 is a more detailed diagram of the preferred user equipment ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a system structure which helps provide data communicationservices for the user equipment in the wireless network of FIGS. 1 and2;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of network identifications stored in aSubscriber Identity Module (SIM) or Universal Subscriber Identity Module(USIM) of the user equipment, which includes a steered networkidentification associated with a steered network for a current region(e.g. a roaming region) of operation of the user equipment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for describing a user equipment method for anautomatic network selection procedure utilizing the steered networkidentification; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for describing a network equipment method forsteering user equipment to the steered network using the steered networkidentification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Methods and apparatus for automatically selecting a wirelesscommunication network by user equipment using a “steered” PLMN aredescribed. A home network identification, a list of prioritized roamingnetwork identifications, and a steered network identification are storedin memory (e.g. a SIM or USIM) of the user equipment. In an automaticnetwork selection procedure, a scanning operation is performed toreceive one or more network identifications corresponding to one or moreavailable wireless communication networks in a coverage area. The userequipment attempts to select a wireless communication network in thecoverage area by comparing the received network identifications from thescanning operation with the steered network identification. If a matchbetween a received network identification and the steered networkidentification is identified, a wireless communication networkcorresponding to the received network identification that matches thesteered network identification is selected and registered with by theuser equipment. This procedure is performed in lieu of or prior to useof the list of prioritized roaming network identifications of the userequipment. By setting the steered network identification via anover-the-air programming procedure when necessary (e.g. on a per regionbasis), a home network operator may “steer” user equipment to anydesired network immediately and efficiently. One illustrative techniquefor use in steering user equipment to a steered wireless communicationnetwork by network equipment of a wireless communication network whichis a home communication network of the user equipment includes the actsof identifying that the user equipment is operating in one region of aplurality of roaming regions through a visited wireless communicationnetwork of the roaming region; and causing a steered networkidentification corresponding to a steered wireless communication networkof the roaming region to be sent through the visited wirelesscommunication network to the user equipment, so that the steeredwireless communication network is selected in an automatic networkselection procedure of the user equipment. The steered networkidentification may be sent in a message, such as a Short Message Service(SMS) message, of an over-the-air programming procedure.

To illustrate general components for communications, FIG. 1 is a blockdiagram of a communication system 100 which includes a mobile station102 (one type of user equipment, wireless or mobile communicationdevice) which communicates through a wireless communication network 104.Mobile station 102 preferably includes a visual display 112, a keyboard114, and perhaps one or more auxiliary user interfaces (UI) 116, each ofwhich are coupled to a controller 106. Controller 106 is also coupled toradio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 108 and an antenna 110.Typically, controller 106 is embodied as a central processing unit (CPU)which runs operating system software in a memory component (not shown).Controller 106 will normally control overall operation of mobile station102, whereas signal processing operations associated with communicationfunctions are typically performed in RF transceiver circuitry 108.Controller 106 interfaces with device display 112 to display receivedinformation, stored information, user inputs, and the like. Keyboard114, which may be a telephone type keypad or full alphanumeric keyboard,is normally provided for entering data for storage in mobile station102, information for transmission to network 104, a telephone number toplace a telephone call, commands to be executed on mobile station 102,and possibly other or different user inputs.

Mobile station 102 sends communication signals to and receivescommunication signals from network 104 over a wireless link via antenna110. RF transceiver circuitry 108 performs functions similar to those ofstation 118 and Base Station Controller BSC 120, including for examplemodulation/demodulation and possibly encoding/decoding andencryption/decryption. It is also contemplated that RF transceivercircuitry 108 may perform certain functions in addition to thoseperformed by BSC 120. It will be apparent to those skilled in art thatRF transceiver circuitry 108 will be adapted to particular wirelessnetwork or networks in which mobile station 102 is intended to operate.

Mobile station 102 includes a battery interface 134 for receiving one ormore rechargeable batteries 132. Battery 132 provides electrical powerto electrical circuitry in mobile station 102, and battery interface 134provides for a mechanical and electrical connection for battery 132.Battery interface 134 is coupled to a regulator 136 which regulatespower V+ to the device. When mobile station 102 is fully operational, anRF transmitter of RF transceiver circuitry 108 is typically keyed orturned on only when it is sending to network, and is otherwise turnedoff to conserve resources. Similarly, an RF receiver of RF transceivercircuitry 108 is typically periodically turned off to conserve poweruntil it is needed to receive signals or information (if at all) duringdesignated time periods.

Mobile station 102 operates using a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) 140which is connected to or inserted in mobile station 102 at a SIMinterface 142. Without SIM 140, the mobile device may be referred to asmobile equipment (ME); with SIM 140, the mobile device may be referredto as user equipment (UE). SIM 140 is one type of a removable memorymodule or “smart card” used to identify an end user (or subscriber) ofmobile station 102 and to personalize the device, among other things.Without SIM 140, the mobile station terminal is not fully operationalfor communication through wireless network 104. By inserting SIM 140into mobile station 102, an end user can have access to any and all ofhis/her subscribed services. SIM 140 generally includes a processor andmemory for storing information. Since SIM 140 is coupled to SIMinterface 142, it is coupled to controller 106 through communicationlines 144. In order to identify the subscriber, SIM 140 contains someuser parameters such as an International Mobile Subscriber Identity(IMSI). An advantage of using SIM 140 is that end users are notnecessarily bound by any single physical mobile station. SIM 140 maystore additional user information for the mobile station as well,including datebook (or calendar) information and recent callinformation.

Mobile station 102 may consist of a single unit, such as a datacommunication device, a cellular telephone, a multiple-functioncommunication device with data and voice communication capabilities, apersonal digital assistant (PDA) enabled for wireless communication, ora computer incorporating an internal modem. Alternatively, mobilestation 102 may be a multiple-module unit comprising a plurality ofseparate components, including but in no way limited to a computer orother device connected to a wireless modem. In particular, for example,in the mobile station block diagram of FIG. 1, RF transceiver circuitry108 and antenna 110 may be implemented as a radio modem unit that may beinserted into a port on a laptop computer. In this case, the laptopcomputer would include display 112, keyboard 114, one or more auxiliaryUls 116, and controller 106 embodied as the computer's CPU. It is alsocontemplated that a computer or other equipment not normally capable ofwireless communication may be adapted to connect to and effectivelyassume control of RF transceiver circuitry 108 and antenna 110 of asingle-unit device such as one of those described above. Such a mobilestation 102 may have a more particular implementation as described laterin relation to mobile station 402 of FIG. 2.

Mobile station 102 communicates in and through wireless communicationnetwork 104. Wireless communication network 104 may be a cellulartelecommunications network. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, wirelessnetwork 104 is configured in accordance with General Packet RadioService (GPRS) and a Global Systems for Mobile (GSM) technologies.Wireless network 104 includes a base station controller (BSC) 120 withan associated tower station 118, a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) 122, aHome Location Register (HLR) 132, a Serving General Packet Radio Service(GPRS) Support Node (SGSN) 126, and a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN)128. MSC 122 is coupled to BSC 120 and to a landline network, such as aPublic Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 124. SGSN 126 is coupled to BSC120 and to GGSN 128, which is in turn coupled to a public or privatedata network 130 (such as the Internet). HLR 132 is coupled to MSC 122,SGSN 126, and GGSN 128.

Station 118 is a fixed transceiver station, and station 118 and BSC 120may be referred to as transceiver equipment. The transceiver equipmentprovides wireless network coverage for a particular coverage areacommonly referred to as a “cell”. The transceiver equipment transmitscommunication signals to and receives communication signals from mobilestations within its cell via station 118. The transceiver equipmentnormally performs such functions as modulation and possibly encodingand/or encryption of signals to be transmitted to the mobile station inaccordance with particular, usually predetermined, communicationprotocols and parameters, under control of its controller. Thetransceiver equipment similarly demodulates and possibly decodes anddecrypts, if necessary, any communication signals received from mobilestation 102 within its cell. Communication protocols and parameters mayvary between different networks. For example, one network may employ adifferent modulation scheme and operate at different frequencies thanother networks.

The wireless link shown in communication system 100 of FIG. 1 representsone or more different channels, typically different radio frequency (RF)channels, and associated protocols used between wireless network 104 andmobile station 102. An RF channel is a limited resource that must beconserved, typically due to limits in overall bandwidth and a limitedbattery power of mobile station 102. Those skilled in art willappreciate that a wireless network in actual practice may includehundreds of cells, each served by a station 118 (i.e. or stationsector), depending upon desired overall expanse of network coverage. Allpertinent components may be connected by multiple switches and routers(not shown), controlled by multiple network controllers.

For all mobile station's 102 registered with a network operator,permanent data (such as mobile station 102 user's profile) as well astemporary data (such as mobile station's 102 current location) arestored in HLR 132. In case of a voice call to mobile station 102, HLR132 is queried to determine the current location of mobile station 102.A Visitor Location Register (VLR) of MSC 122 is responsible for a groupof location areas and stores the data of those mobile stations that arecurrently in its area of responsibility. This includes parts of thepermanent mobile station data that have been transmitted from HLR 132 tothe VLR for faster access. However, the VLR of MSC 122 may also assignand store local data, such as temporary identifications. Optionally, theVLR of MSC 122 can be enhanced for more efficient co-ordination of GPRSand non-GPRS services and functionality (e.g. paging forcircuit-switched calls which can be performed more efficiently via SGSN126, and combined GPRS and non-GPRS location updates).

Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) 126 is at the same hierarchical levelas MSC 122 and keeps track of the individual locations of mobilestations. SGSN 126 also performs security functions and access control.Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) 128 provides interworking with externalpacket-switched networks and is connected with SGSNs (such as SGSN 126)via an IP-based GPRS backbone network. SGSN 126 performs authenticationand cipher setting procedures based on the same algorithms, keys, andcriteria as in existing GSM. In conventional operation, cell selectionmay be performed autonomously by mobile station 102 or by thetransceiver equipment instructing mobile station 102 to select aparticular cell. Mobile station 102 informs wireless network 104 when itreselects another cell or group of cells, known as a routing area.

In order to access GPRS services, mobile station 102 first makes itspresence known to wireless network 104 by performing what is known as aGPRS “attach”. This operation establishes a logical link between mobilestation 102 and SGSN 126 and makes mobile station 102 available toreceive, for example, pages via SGSN 126, notifications of incoming GPRSdata, or SMS messages over GPRS. In order to send and receive GPRS data,mobile station 102 assists in activating the packet data address that itwants to use. This operation makes mobile station 102 known to GGSN 128;interworking with external data networks can thereafter commence. Userdata may be transferred transparently between mobile station 102 and theexternal data networks using, for example, encapsulation and tunneling.Data packets are equipped with GPRS-specific protocol information andtransferred between mobile station 102 and GGSN 128.

Those skilled in art will appreciate that a wireless network may beconnected to other systems, possibly including other networks, notexplicitly shown in FIG. 1. A network will normally be transmitting atvery least some sort of paging and system information on an ongoingbasis, even if there is no actual packet data exchanged. Although thenetwork consists of many parts, these parts all work together to resultin certain behaviours at the wireless link.

FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of a preferred mobile station 202 ofthe present application. Mobile station 202 is preferably a two-waycommunication device having at least voice and advanced datacommunication capabilities, including the capability to communicate withother computer systems. Depending on the functionality provided bymobile station 202, it may be referred to as a data messaging device, atwo-way pager, a cellular telephone with data messaging capabilities, awireless Internet appliance, or a data communication device (with orwithout telephony capabilities). Mobile station 202 may communicate withany one of a plurality of fixed transceiver stations 200 within itsgeographic coverage area.

Mobile station 202 will normally incorporate a communication subsystem211, which includes a receiver 212, a transmitter 214, and associatedcomponents, such as one or more (preferably embedded or internal)antenna elements 216 and 218, local oscillators (LOs) 213, and aprocessing module such as a digital signal processor (DSP) 220.Communication subsystem 211 is analogous to RF transceiver circuitry 108and antenna 110 shown in FIG. 1. As will be apparent to those skilled infield of communications, particular design of communication subsystem211 depends on the communication network in which mobile station 202 isintended to operate.

Mobile station 202 may send and receive communication signals over thenetwork after required network registration or activation procedureshave been completed. Signals received by antenna 216 through the networkare input to receiver 212, which may perform such common receiverfunctions as signal amplification, frequency down conversion, filtering,channel selection, and like, and in example shown in FIG. 2,analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion. A/D conversion of a received signalallows more complex communication functions such as demodulation anddecoding to be performed in DSP 220. In a similar manner, signals to betransmitted are processed, including modulation and encoding, forexample, by DSP 220. These DSP-processed signals are input totransmitter 214 for digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion, frequency upconversion, filtering, amplification and transmission over communicationnetwork via antenna 218. DSP 220 not only processes communicationsignals, but also provides for receiver and transmitter control. Forexample, the gains applied to communication signals in receiver 212 andtransmitter 214 may be adaptively controlled through automatic gaincontrol algorithms implemented in DSP 220.

Network access is associated with a subscriber or user of mobile station202, and therefore mobile station 202 requires a Subscriber IdentityModule or “SIM” card 262 to be inserted in a SIM interface 264 in orderto operate in the network. SIM 262 includes those features described inrelation to FIG. 1. Again, without SIM 262, the mobile device may bereferred to as mobile equipment (ME); with SIM 262, the mobile devicemay be referred to as user equipment (UE). Mobile station 202 is abattery-powered device so it also includes a battery interface 254 forreceiving one or more rechargeable batteries 256. Such a battery 256provides electrical power to most if not all electrical circuitry inmobile station 202, and battery interface 254 provides for a mechanicaland electrical connection for it. The battery interface 254 is coupledto a regulator (not shown) which provides power V+ to all of thecircuitry.

Mobile station 202 includes a microprocessor 238 (which is oneimplementation of controller 106 of FIG. 1) which controls overalloperation of mobile station 202. Communication functions, including atleast data and voice communications, are performed through communicationsubsystem 211. Microprocessor 238 also interacts with additional devicesubsystems such as a display 222, a flash memory 224, a random accessmemory (RAM) 226, auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystems 228, a serialport 230, a keyboard 232, a speaker 234, a microphone 236, a short-rangecommunications subsystem 240, and any other device subsystems generallydesignated at 242. Some of the subsystems shown in FIG. 2 performcommunication-related functions, whereas other subsystems may provide“resident” or on-device functions. Notably, some subsystems, such askeyboard 232 and display 222, for example, may be used for bothcommunication-related functions, such as entering a text message fortransmission over a communication network, and device-resident functionssuch as a calculator or task list. Operating system software used bymicroprocessor 238 is preferably stored in a persistent store such asflash memory 224, which may alternatively be a read-only memory (ROM) orsimilar storage element (not shown). Those skilled in the art willappreciate that the operating system, specific device applications, orparts thereof, may be temporarily loaded into a volatile store such asRAM 226.

Microprocessor 238, in addition to its operating system functions,preferably enables execution of software applications on mobile station202. A predetermined set of applications which control basic deviceoperations, including at least data and voice communicationapplications, as well as the network selection techniques of the presentapplication, will normally be installed on mobile station 202 during itsmanufacture. A preferred application that may be loaded onto mobilestation 202 may be a personal information manager (PIM) applicationhaving the ability to organize and manage data items relating to usersuch as, but not limited to, e-mail, calendar events, voice mails,appointments, and task items. Naturally, one or more memory stores areavailable on mobile station 202 and SIM 262 to facilitate storage of PIMdata items and other information.

The PIM application preferably has the ability to send and receive dataitems via the wireless network. In a preferred embodiment, PIM dataitems are seamlessly integrated, synchronized, and updated via thewireless network, with the mobile station user's corresponding dataitems stored and/or associated with a host computer system therebycreating a mirrored host computer on mobile station 202 with respect tosuch items. This is especially advantageous where the host computersystem is the mobile station user's office computer system. Additionalapplications may also be loaded onto mobile station 202 through network,an auxiliary I/O subsystem 228, serial port 230, short-rangecommunications subsystem 240, or any other suitable subsystem 242, andinstalled by a user in RAM 226 or preferably a non-volatile store (notshown) for execution by microprocessor 238. Such flexibility inapplication installation increases the functionality of mobile station202 and may provide enhanced on-device functions, communication-relatedfunctions, or both. For example, secure communication applications mayenable electronic commerce functions and other such financialtransactions to be performed using mobile station 202.

In a data communication mode, a received signal such as a text message,an e-mail message, or web page download will be processed bycommunication subsystem 211 and input to microprocessor 238.Microprocessor 238 will preferably further process the signal for outputto display 222 or alternatively to auxiliary I/O device 228. A user ofmobile station 202 may also compose data items, such as e-mail messages,for example, using keyboard 232 in conjunction with display 222 andpossibly auxiliary I/O device 228. Keyboard 232 is preferably a completealphanumeric keyboard and/or telephone-type keypad. These composed itemsmay be transmitted over a communication network through communicationsubsystem 211.

For voice communications, the overall operation of mobile station 202 issubstantially similar, except that the received signals would be outputto speaker 234 and signals for transmission would be generated bymicrophone 236. Alternative voice or audio I/O subsystems, such as avoice message recording subsystem, may also be implemented on mobilestation 202. Although voice or audio signal output is preferablyaccomplished primarily through speaker 234, display 222 may also be usedto provide an indication of the identity of a calling party, duration ofa voice call, or other voice call related information, as some examples.

Serial port 230 in FIG. 2 is normally implemented in a personal digitalassistant (PDA)-type communication device for which synchronization witha user's desktop computer is a desirable, albeit optional, component.Serial port 230 enables a user to set preferences through an externaldevice or software application and extends the capabilities of mobilestation 202 by providing for information or software downloads to mobilestation 202 other than through a wireless communication network. Thealternate download path may, for example, be used to load an encryptionkey onto mobile station 202 through a direct and thus reliable andtrusted connection to thereby provide secure device communication.

Short-range communications subsystem 240 of FIG. 2 is an additionaloptional component which provides for communication between mobilestation 202 and different systems or devices, which need not necessarilybe similar devices. For example, subsystem 240 may include an infrareddevice and associated circuits and components, or a Bluetooth™communication module to provide for communication with similarly-enabledsystems and devices. Bluetooth™ is a registered trademark of BluetoothSIG, Inc.

FIG. 3 shows a system structure which helps provide data communicationservices for the mobile station. In particular, FIG. 3 shows basiccomponents of an IP-based wireless data network which may be utilized.Mobile station 202 of FIG. 3 communicates with a wireless packet datanetwork 145, and may also be capable of communicating with a wirelessvoice network (not shown). As shown in FIG. 3, a gateway 140 may becoupled to an internal or external address resolution component 335 andone or more network entry points 305. Data packets 330, such asTransmission Control Protocol (TCP) or User Datagram Protocol (UDP)packets, are transmitted from gateway 140, which is source ofinformation to be transmitted to mobile station 202, through network 145by setting up a wireless network tunnel 325 from gateway 140 to mobilestation 202. In order to create this wireless tunnel 325, a uniquenetwork address is associated with mobile station 202. In an IP-basedwireless network, however, network addresses are typically notpermanently assigned to a particular mobile station 202 but instead aredynamically allocated on an as-needed basis. It is thus preferable formobile station 202 to acquire a network address and for gateway 140 todetermine this address so as to establish wireless tunnel 325.

Network entry point 305 is generally used to multiplex and demultiplexamongst many gateways, corporate servers, and bulk connections such asthe Internet, for example. There are normally very few of these networkentry points 305, since they are also intended to centralize externallyavailable wireless network services. Network entry points 305 often usesome form of an address resolution component 335 that assists in addressassignment and lookup between gateways and mobile stations. In thisexample, address resolution component 335 is shown as a dynamic hostconfiguration protocol (DHCP) as one method for providing an addressresolution mechanism.

A central internal component of wireless packet data network 145 is anetwork router 315. Normally, network routers 315 are proprietary to theparticular network, but they could alternatively be constructed fromstandard commercially available hardware. The purpose of network routers315 is to centralize thousands of fixed transceiver stations 320normally implemented in a relatively large network into a centrallocation for a long-haul connection back to network entry point 305. Insome networks there may be multiple tiers of network routers 315 andcases where there are master and slave network routers 315, but in allsuch cases the functions are similar. Often network router 315 willaccess a name server 307, in this case shown as a dynamic name server(DNS) 307 as used in the Internet, to look up destinations for routingdata messages. Fixed transceiver stations 320, as described above,provide wireless links to mobile stations such as mobile station 202.

Wireless network tunnels such as a wireless tunnel 325 are opened acrosswireless network 345 in order to allocate necessary memory, routing, andaddress resources to deliver IP packets. Such tunnels 325 areestablished as part of what are referred to as Packet Data Protocol or“PDP contexts” (i.e. data sessions). To open wireless tunnel 325, mobilestation 202 must use a specific technique associated with wirelessnetwork 145. The step of opening such a wireless tunnel 325 may requiremobile station 202 to indicate the domain, or network entry point 305with which it wishes to open wireless tunnel 325. In this example, thetunnel first reaches network router 315 which uses name server 307 todetermine which network entry point 305 matches the domain provided.Multiple wireless tunnels can be opened from one mobile station 202 forredundancy, or to access different gateways and services on the network.Once the domain name is found, the tunnel is then extended to networkentry point 305 and necessary resources are allocated at each of thenodes along the way. Network entry point 305 then uses the addressresolution (or DHCP 335) component to allocate an IP address for mobilestation 202. When an IP address has been allocated to mobile station 202and communicated to gateway 140, information can then be forwarded fromgateway 140 to mobile station 202.

A mobile station typically offers a manual network selection for the enduser as well as an automatic network selection procedure. The current3GPP standard specifies that, for roaming, a mobile station shall selectthe highest priority network available as defined in a Preferred PLMN(PPLMN) list stored in the SIM. For example, see section 4.4.3.1.1 ofthe 3GPP standard (3GPP TS 23.122 V7.3.0 (2005-09). However, a homenetwork operator (e.g. a home public land mobile network or HPLMN in3GPP parlance) may still have a need to dynamically control whichnetworks their subscribers connect to when roaming either in the homecountry or abroad. For example, the HPLMN operator may have a need todirect its subscribers roaming in country A to be served by network X.One reason is commercial in nature. In roaming agreements, one operatormay offer another operator a better rate in return for a certain amountof usage by roaming subscribers. Thus, at certain times it may bebeneficial for an operator to ensure that all of their roamingsubscribers be directed to one specific network to ensure that the usagecriteria is met. Another reason is due to network fault conditions. Atemporary fault may mean that one network in a given country is unableto offer all of its services to a HPLMN's roaming subscribers.Therefore, the HPLMN operator may have a need to direct its roamingsubscribers towards other networks in the country which can offer a fullrange of service. By way of example, it is not uncommon today for GPRSto be temporarily unavailable in a certain Visited PLMN (VPLMN). Yetanother reason is based on network load sharing. For example, the HPLMNoperator may decide that it wants 40% of its roaming subscribers in acountry on network X, 35% on network Y, and 25% on network Z.

If dynamic control were to be achieved through use of the conventionalPPLMN list, the HPLMN operator would have to update the entire PPLMNlist for each subscriber using an over-the-air (OTA) programmingmechanism, which requires a large number of Short Message Service (SMS)messages. The large overhead required to update all of the PPLMN listsfor the roaming subscribers may be prohibitive. Further, if network loadsharing is needed, the HPLMN would have to maintain PPLMN lists on a persubscriber basis. Maintaining such PPLMN lists, however, is inconsistentwith operating procedures of most operators and adds significantoverhead with respect to configuration management. Conventionalsolutions which direct subscribers to a particular network while roaminginvolve the spoofing of network reject messages by the HPLMN operatorwhen the user equipment makes connection attempts to VPLMNs in the PPLMNlist in highest to lowest priority. The network reject messages are sentthrough each selected VPLMN until the desired VPLMN, as identified bythe HPLMN operator, is reached. Although this technique directs userequipment to specific VPLMNs desired by the HPLMN operator, as apparentit involves a wasteful use of network resources each time such selectionis needed.

To solve the deficiencies of the prior art, methods and apparatus forautomatically selecting a wireless communication network by userequipment using a “steered” PLMN are utilized. A “steered PLMN” is anetwork to which the home network operator may direct any user equipmentfor communications when roaming or otherwise. Although the term“steered” network” or PLMN is utilized herein, any suitable alternativeterminology may be utilized (e.g. “directed” network or PLMN).

FIG. 4 is an illustration of network identifications which may be storedin SIM 262 of mobile station 202 of FIG. 2 in accordance with thepresent application. SIM 262 includes a home network identification 402(or HPLMN) which is initially derived from an IMSI on SIM 262; a datafile which stores a user-controlled list of prioritized roaming networkidentifications 404 (or “user-controlled PPLMN list”), a data file whichstores an operator-controlled list of prioritized roaming networkidentifications (or “operator-controlled PPLMN list”) 406, as well asother data files 408.

SIM 262 of FIG. 4 also includes a data file which stores a steerednetwork identification 410 associated with a steered communicationnetwork for a current region (e.g. a roaming region) of operation.Steered network identification 410 may be or include, for example, amobile network code (MNC) and mobile country code (MCC) pair whichuniquely correspond to the steered communication network. When roaming,and/or when otherwise indicated to the mobile station, the mobilestation attempts to select an available wireless communication networkwith use of steered network identification 410 in lieu of (or prior to)attempting to select an available wireless communication network withuse of the operator-controlled list of prioritized roaming networkidentifications 406 (or “operator-controlled PPLMN list”). By settingthe steered network identification via an over-the-air programmingprocedure when necessary (e.g. on a per region basis), a home networkoperator may “steer” user equipment to any desired network immediatelyand efficiently.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for describing a user equipment method of anautomatic network selection procedure which utilizes SIM 262 of FIG. 4as described above. The user equipment method may be embodied as acomputer program product which includes a computer readable medium andcomputer program instructions stored in the computer readable mediumwhich are executable by one or more processors of the user equipment. Asdescribed earlier in relation to FIGS. 1-2 and 4, the user equipmentincludes mobile equipment and the removable memory module which storesthe home network identification, the list of prioritized roaming networkidentifications, and the steered network identification. The mobileequipment has a wireless transceiver; one or more processors coupled tothe wireless transceiver; and a removable memory module interfacecoupled to the one or more processors which execute the method.

Beginning at a start block 502 of FIG. 5, the user equipment maintainsstorage of at least a home network identification, a list of prioritizedroaming network identifications, and a steered network identification,in memory (step 504 of FIG. 5). These network identifications are storedin the SIM, and may also be copied from the SIM or USIM and stored inother memory (e.g. volatile memory or RAM) of the-user equipment. Theuser equipment performs a scanning operation to receive one or morenetwork identifications (PLMN identifications such as MNC/MCC pairs)corresponding to one or more available wireless communication networksin a coverage area of the user equipment (step 506 of FIG. 5). After thescanning operation, the user equipment performs automatic networkselection procedure (step 508 of FIG. 5) with the following order ofpriority: (1) Home Network (HPLMN) (Or Equivalent); (2) User-ControlledList Of Prioritized Roaming Networks (User-Controlled PPLMN List); (3)Steered Network (SPLMN); and (4) Operator-Controlled List Of PrioritizedRoaming Networks (Operator-Controlled PPLMN List). Section 4.4.3.1.1 ofthe current 3GPP standard (3GPP TS 23.122 V7.3.0 (2005-09) may bemodified to reflect this new prioritization scheme of step 508.

Thus, when the user equipment is roaming in a roaming region, the userequipment attempts to select a wireless communication network with useof the steered network identification if available. This is done in lieuof (or prior to) attempting to select a wireless communication networkwith use of the operator-controlled list of prioritized roamingnetworks. When doing this, the user equipment compares the one or morereceived network identifications (i.e. one or more MNC/MCC pairs) fromthe scanning operation with the steered network identification (i.e. asteered MNC/MCC pair). If a match between a received networkidentification and the steered network identification is identified fromthe act of comparing, the user equipment may select and register with awireless communication network corresponding to the received networkidentification that matches the steered network identification.

In the case where the network corresponding to the steered networkidentification is selected, the user equipment shall not attempt toselect networks from the PPLMN list in priority over this network.

It is possible that the steered network may be unavailable, or the userequipment may be unsuccessful in its attempt to connect with the steerednetwork. In this case, after attempting to select a wirelesscommunication network with use of the steered network identificationunsuccessfully, the user equipment may attempt to select a wirelesscommunication network with use of the list of prioritized roamingnetwork identifications (i.e. the operator-controlled list). The userequipment may do this by comparing the one or more received networkidentifications and network identifications from the list of prioritizedroaming network identifications. If a match between one of the one ormore received network identifications and a network identification fromthe list of prioritized roaming network identifications is identifiedfrom the act of comparing, the user equipment may select and registerwith a wireless communication network corresponding to the receivednetwork identification that matches the network identification from thelist of prioritized roaming network identifications.

As indicated above, networks in the user-controlled list of prioritizedroaming networks have priority over the steered network. Thus, whenuser-controlled networks are designated, the user equipment attempts toselect a wireless communication network with use of the user-controlledlist of prioritized network identifications prior to attempting toselect a wireless communication network with use of the steered networkidentification. The user equipment does this by comparing the one ormore received network identifications and network identifications fromthe user-controlled list of prioritized network identifications. If amatch between one of the one or more received network identificationsand a network identification from the user-controlled list is identifiedfrom the act of comparing, the user equipment selects and registers witha wireless communication network corresponding to the received networkidentification that matches the network identification from theuser-controlled list of prioritized network identifications.

The steered network identification may be deemed unavailable to the userequipment if the data file or appropriate steered network identificationfields are cleared (e.g. set to bit zeros or ones), or if an indication(e.g. a bit indicator) stored in the user equipment is setappropriately, for example. If it is indicated that the steered networkidentification is unavailable, then the user equipment will operate asconventional without the steered network identification. The userequipment may cause the steered network identification to be set asunavailable when it is no longer viable, especially when it enters a newroaming region or country. For example, the user equipment may receive acounty code from the scanning operation that identifies a currentcountry different from that of the last served network. The userequipment operates to clear the steered network identification frommemory (or sets the bit indicators appropriately) based on receiving thecountry code that differs from the current country code. In this case,the user equipment may need a new updated steered network identificationfor the new region.

Again, the home network operator may “steer” user equipment to anydesired network immediately and efficiently by programming the steerednetwork identification in the user equipment via an over-the-airprogramming procedure (e.g. on a per region basis). The user equipmentmay receive the steered network identification (i.e. the SPLMN) in amessage and store the steered network identification in the memory.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for describing a network equipment method forsteering user equipment to the steered network using the steered networkidentification. The network equipment method may be embodied as acomputer program product which includes a computer readable medium andcomputer program instructions stored in the computer readable mediumwhich are executable by one or more processors of the network equipment.The network equipment may have a database which is accessible to it,which stores a plurality of different steered network identificationsrespectively associated with a plurality of different roaming regions.The network equipment utilized in the method of FIG. 6 is of a wirelesscommunication network which is a home communication network of the userequipment.

Beginning at a start block 602 of FIG. 6, the user equipment has justentered into a roaming region or new country different from the countryof the home communication network. In this situation, the user equipmentis connected to and communicating through a visited wirelesscommunication network or VPLMN of the roaming region. Note that thisVPLMN is likely to be the highest priority, first available VPLMNdesignated in the operator-controlled VPLMN list of the user equipment.The network equipment of the home communication network then identifiesthat the user equipment is operating in one region of a plurality ofroaming regions (step 604 of FIG. 6). The network equipment may identifythis situation since there may be a need for the VPLMN to authenticatewith the home network before full communication service is madeavailable to the user equipment in the roaming region. In response toidentifying the appropriate region of the user equipment, the networkequipment identifies or selects the appropriate steered networkidentification or SPLMN which is uniquely associated with the roamingregion (step 606 of FIG. 6). This may be performed by querying thedatabase based on the roaming region (e.g. country code or MCC) tothereby retrieve the network code (e.g. SPLMN/VPLMN identification).

Next, the network equipment causes a message containing the SPLMN,identification corresponding to a steered wireless communication networkof the roaming region to be sent through the VPLMN for programming theSPLMN identification in the user equipment (step 608 of FIG. 6). Inresponse to receiving the message having the SPLMN identification, theuser equipment programs the SPLMN identification in the appropriateSPLMN field (e.g. of the SIM or USIM). This is done so that the SPLMNwill thereafter immediately be selected by the automatic networkselection procedure of the user equipment. That is, when the automaticnetwork selection procedure is performed by the user equipment, the userequipment will attempt to select a wireless communication network withuse of the SPLMN in lieu of (or prior to) attempting to select awireless communication network with use of the list of prioritizedroaming network identifications, per the method of FIG. 5.

In step 608 of FIG. 6, the SPLMN identification may be sent to the userequipment through any suitable message. Preferably, the SPLMNidentification is sent to the user equipment via a short message service(SMS) message in an over-the-air update download or programmingprocedure. Since the SMS message may merely include the MNC/MCC pairassociated with the SPLMN, it is a low overhead type message. As analternative, an Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) may beutilized as a bearer for the SPLMN identification. As anotheralternative, the SPLMN identification may be embedded into pre-existingor new Mobile Application Part (MAP) messages.

Other additional features and techniques may be utilized in the method.For example, a “validity timer” may be associated with the SPLMN orSPLMN field. This SPLMN validity timer may be programmed by the homenetwork operator, and may be the time during which the SPLMN will beutilized by the user equipment. Using this feature, the user equipmentuses the SPLMN for the validity time period and then utilize a differentnetwork thereafter. Additionally or alternatively, a “selection timer”or “selection time” may be associated with the SPLMN or SPLMN field. Theselection timer may indicate that the SPLMN must be selected after acertain expiration of time;

the selection time may indicate that the SPLMN must be selected at acertain time or date. Other indicators are possible as well, such anindication that the SPLMN must be selected immediately, or after thenext time the background scan is due. All of these indicators may beprogrammed by the home network operator in addition to the SPLMNidentification.

Note further that, in the method described in relation to FIG. 6, theregion within which the user equipment operates need not be a roamingregion. The home network operator may need to temporarily steer the userequipment operating in its home network region to a different non-homenetwork due to other reasons, for example, due to a fault condition. Inthis case, the steered network identification has priority over the homenetwork identification. This alternative prioritization may be indicatedin the user equipment by a separately stored indication (e.g. a bitindication) which may be set or programmed through the home networkoperator when necessary. The user equipment will communicate through theSPLMN in its home region until the home network operator causes theSPLMN identification to be reset or reprogrammed.

In an alternative arrangement, the user equipment may be provisionedwith information (such as an internet URL or other) that will enable itto retrieve the steered network identification without the homecommunication network having to send the information. This SPLMNidentification may be retrieved from a web site, database, or otherinformation store provided by the home communications network or, incertain circumstances, by a third party.

The user equipment need not be steered to the SPLMN if there are reasonswhy it might not need or be advantageous to. For example, the userequipment may identify that GPRS is unavailable with the SPLMN andtherefore may select a GPRS-capable network instead. With use of thisfeature, after the SPLMN is programmed in the user equipment, the userequipment may respond to the home network operator with an indicationthat the user equipment has ignored the request to select the SPLMN. Themessage may further include indicators for a plurality of reasons whythe user equipment has ignored the request.

Thus, the home network operator can easily dynamically control whichnetworks their subscribers connect to when roaming either in the homecountry or abroad. For example, the home network operator may direct itssubscribers roaming in country A to be served by network X, byprogramming user equipment with the SPLMN identification correspondingto network X when the user equipment enters the country A. This may bedone for each different country. At certain times it may be beneficialfor an operator to use the SPLMN identification to ensure that all oftheir roaming subscribers be directed to one specific network. Also, atemporary network fault may mean that one network in a given country isunable to offer all of its services to its roaming subscribers.Therefore, the home network operator may use the SPLMN identification totemporarily direct its roaming subscribers towards other networks in thecountry which can offer a full range of service. By way of example, itis not uncommon today for GPRS to be temporarily unavailable in acertain VPLMN; in this situation, the home network operator willtemporarily direct its subscribers to a VPLMN having available GPRS.

Regarding network load sharing, the home network operator may decidethat it wants 40% of its roaming subscribers in a country on network X,35% on network Y, and 25% on network Z. If network load sharing isneeded using conventional techniques, the home network operator wouldhave to maintain PPLMN lists on a per subscriber basis. Maintaining suchPPLMN lists adds significant overhead with respect to configurationmanagement. According to the present application, the home networkoperator needs not maintain different operator-controlled PPLMN listsfor its subscribers, but rather maintain a simple database listing ofeach network X, Y, and Z associated with a count of current subscribers,for example, while programming different user equipment with differentSPLMNs corresponding to network X, Y, and Z.

With use of an SPLMN, the home network operator does not have to updatethe entire PPLMN list for each subscriber using the OTA programmingmechanisim, which would require a large number of SMS messages. Only asmall overhead message using the OTA programming mechanism, or othersignaling technique, needs to be utilized. Other conventional solutionswhich involve the spoofing of network reject messages is not necessary,as it involves a wasteful use of network resources each time suchselection is needed. The programming of SPLMN identification involvesand immediate and efficient directing of user equipment to the properSPLMN.

Final Comments. Methods and apparatus for automatically selecting awireless communication network by user equipment using a “steered” PLMNare described. A home network identification, a list of prioritizedroaming network identifications, and a steered network identificationare stored in memory (e.g. a removable memory module such as a SIM orUSIM) of the user equipment. In an automatic network selectionprocedure, a scanning operation is performed to receive one or morenetwork identifications corresponding to one or more available wirelesscommunication networks in a coverage area of the user equipment. Theuser equipment attempts to select a wireless communication network inthe coverage area by comparing the received network identifications fromthe scanning operation with the steered network identification. If amatch between a received network identification and the steered networkidentification is identified, a wireless communication networkcorresponding to the received network identification that matches thesteered network identification is selected and registered with by theuser equipment. This procedure is performed in lieu of (or prior to) useof the list of prioritized roaming network identifications. Theabove-described user equipment technique may be embodied as a computerprogram product which includes a computer readable medium and computerprogram instructions stored in the computer readable medium which areexecutable by one or more processors of the user equipment. The userequipment includes mobile equipment and the removable memory modulewhich stores the home network identification, the list of prioritizedroaming network identifications, and the steered network identification.The mobile equipment has a wireless transceiver; one or more processorscoupled to the wireless transceiver; a removable memory module interfacecoupled to the one or more processors which execute the method.

By setting the steered network identification via an over-the-airprogramming procedure when necessary (e.g. on a per region basis), ahome network operator may “steer” user equipment to any desired networkimmediately and efficiently. One illustrative technique for use insteering user equipment to a steered wireless communication network bynetwork equipment of a wireless communication network which is a homecommunication network of the user equipment includes the acts ofidentifying that the user equipment is operating in one region of aplurality of roaming regions through a visited wireless communicationnetwork of the roaming region; and causing a steered networkidentification corresponding to a steered wireless communication networkof the roaming region to be sent through the visited wirelesscommunication network to the user equipment, so that the steeredwireless communication network is selected in an automatic networkselection procedure of the user equipment. The steered networkidentification may be sent in a message, such as a Short Message Service(SMS) message, of an over-the-air programming procedure. Theabove-described network equipment technique may be embodied as acomputer program product which includes a computer readable medium andcomputer program instructions stored in the computer readable mediumwhich are executable by one or more processors of the network equipment.

The above-described embodiments of the present application are intendedto be examples only. Those of skill in the art may effect alterations,modifications and variations to the particular embodiments withoutdeparting from the scope of the application. The invention describedherein in the recited claims intends to cover and embrace all suitablechanges in technology.

1. A method of selecting a wireless communication network by userequipment, the method comprising the acts of: storing, in memory, a homenetwork identification, a user-controlled list of prioritized roamingnetwork identifications, an operator-controlled list of roaming networkidentifications, and a steered network identification which is not partof the user-controlled and operator-controlled lists of prioritizedroaming network identifications and has, priority over theoperator-controlled list of prioritized roaming network identifications;in an automatic network selection procedure for the user equipment,attempting to select and operate with a wireless communication networkwith use of the steered network identification for user communicationswhich has priority over the operator-controlled list of prioritizedroaming network identifications by: performing a scanning operation toreceive one or more network identifications corresponding to one or moreavailable wireless communication networks in a coverage area of the userequipment; comparing the one or more received network identificationsfrom the scanning operation with the steered network identification; andif a match between a received network identification and the steerednetwork identification is identified from the act of comparing,selecting and registering with a wireless communication networkcorresponding to the received network identification that matches thesteered network identification.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein theautomatic network selection procedure is further performed by selectingand operating with the wireless communication network corresponding tothe steered network identification for the user communications whenroaming in lieu of selecting and operating with a wireless communicationnetwork with use of the operator-controlled list of prioritized roamingnetwork identifications for the user communication.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: receiving, via wireless communicationnetwork, the steered network identification in a message; storing thesteered network identification in the memory; and in the automaticnetwork selection procedure, selecting and operating with the wirelesscommunication network corresponding to the steered networkidentification for the user communications when the user equipment isroaming in lieu of selecting and operating with the wirelesscommunication network with use of the operator-controlled list ofprioritized roaming network identifications for the user communications.4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the acts of: in theautomatic network selection procedure for the user equipment, prior toattempting to select a wireless communication network with use of thesteered network identification, attempting to select a wirelesscommunication network with use of the user-controlled list ofprioritized network identifications by: comparing the one or morereceived network identifications and network identifications from theuser-controlled list of prioritized network identifications; and if amatch between one of the one or more received network identificationsand a network identification from the user-controlled list is identifiedfrom the act of comparing, selecting and registering with a wirelesscommunication network corresponding to the received networkidentification that matches the network identification from theuser-controlled list of prioritized network identifications.
 5. Themethod of claim 1,further comprising in the automatic network selectionprocedure for the user equipment, after attempting to select thewireless Communication network with rise of the steered networkidentification unsuccessfully, attempting to select a wirelesscommunication network with use of the operator-controlled list ofprioritized roaming network identifications by: comparing the one ormore received network identifications and network identifications fromthe operator-controlled list of prioritized roaming networkidentifications; and if a match between one of the one or more receivednetwork identifications and a network identification from theoperator-controlled list of prioritized roaming network identificationsis identified from the act of comparing, selecting and registering witha wireless communication network corresponding to the received networkidentification that matches the network identification from theoperator-controlled list of prioritized roaming network identifications.6. The method of claim 1, wherein the home network identification, theoperator-controlled and user-controlled lists of prioritized roamingnetwork identifications, and the steered network identification arefurther stored in a Subscriber Identity Module or Universal SubscriberIdentity Module of the user equipment.
 7. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving, from a wireless communication networkcorresponding to the home network identification, the steered networkidentification in a message; and storing the steered networkidentification in the memory.
 8. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving a county code from the scanning operation thatdiffers from a current country code; and clearing the steered networkidentification from memory based on receiving the country code thatdiffers from the current country code.
 9. Mobile equipment comprising: awireless transceiver; one or more processors coupled to the wirelesstransceiver; a removable memory module interface coupled to the one ormore processors; the removable memory module being adapted to store ahome network identification, a user-controlled list of prioritizedroaming network identifications, an operator-controlled list ofprioritized roaming network identifications, and a steered networkidentification which is not part of the user-controlled andoperator-controlled lists of prioritized roaming network identificationand has priority over the operator-controlled list of prioritizedroaming network identification; the one or more processors being adaptedto perform an automatic network selection procedure by attempting toselect and operate with a wireless communication network with use of thesteered network identification for user communications which haspriority over the operator-controlled list of prioritized roamingnetwork identifications by: performing a scanning operation to receiveone or more network identification corresponding to one or moreavailable wireless communication networks in a coverage area of the userequipment; comparing the one or more received network identificationsform the scanning operation with the steered network identification; andif a match between a received network identification and the steerednetwork identification is identified from the act of comparing,selecting and registering with a wireless communication networkcorresponding to the received network identification that matches thesteered network identification.
 10. The mobile equipment of claim 9,wherein the one or more processors are further adapted to perform theautomatic network selection procedure by selecting and operating withthe wireless communication network corresponding to the steered networkidentification for the user communications when roaming in lieu ofselecting and operating with the wireless communication network with useof the operator-controlled list of prioritized roaming networkidentifications for the user communications.
 11. The mobile equipment ofclaim 9, further comprising: receiving, via a wireless communicationnetwork, the steered network identification in a message; storing thesteered network identification in the memory and; in the automaticnetwork selection procedure, selecting and operating with the wirelesscommunication network corresponding to the steered networkidentification for the user communications when the user equipment isroaming in lieu of selecting and operating with the wirelesscommunication network with use of the operator-controlled list ofprioritized roaming, network identifications for the usercommunications.
 12. The mobile equipment of claim 9, further comprising:the one or more processors being further adapted to perform theautomatic network selection procedure by attempting to select a wirelesscommunication network with use of the user-controlled list ofprioritized network identifications, prior to attempting to select awireless communication network with use of the steered networkidentification, by: comparing the one or more received networkidentifications and network identifications from the user-controlledlist of prioritized network identifications; and if a match between oneof the one or more received network identifications and a networkidentification from the user-controlled list is identified from the actof comparing, selecting and registering with a wireless communicationnetwork corresponding to the received network identification thatmatches the network identification from the user-controlled list ofprioritized network identifications.
 13. The mobile equipment of claim9, further comprising: the one or more processors being further adaptedto perform the automatic network selection processor by attempting toselect a wireless communication network with use of theoperator-controlled list of prioritized roaming network identifications,after attempting to select the wireless communication network with useof the steered network identification unsuccessfully, by: comparing theone or more received network identifications and network identificationsfrom the operator-controlled list of prioritized roaming networkidentifications; and if a match between one of the one or more receivednetwork identifications and a network identification from theoperator-controlled list of prioritized roaming network identificationsis identified from the act of comparing, selecting and registering witha wireless communication network corresponding to the received networkidentification that matches the network identification from theoperator-controlled list of prioritized roaming network identifications.14. The mobile equipment of claim 9, wherein the removable memory modulecomprises a Subscriber Identity Module or Universal Subscriber IdentityModule.
 15. The mobile equipment of claim 9, further comprising:receiving from a wireless communication network corresponding to thehome network identification, the steered network identification in amessage; and storing the steered network identification in the removablememory module.
 16. The mobile equipment of claim 9, the one or moreprocessors being further adapted to perform the automatic networkselection procedure by: receiving a county code from the scanningoperation that differs from a current country code; and clearing thesteered network identification based on receiving the country code thatdiffers from the current country code.
 17. A removable memory module formobile equipment, the removable memory module comprising: a memory; afile for storing a home network identification in the memory; a file forstoring a user-controlled list of prioritized roaming networkidentifications in the memory; a file for storing an operator-controlledlist of prioritized roaming network identification in the memory; a filefor storing, in the memory, a steered network identification which isnot part of the user-controlled and operator-controlled lists ofprioritized roaming network identification and has priority over theoperator-controlled list of prioritized roaming network identifications.18. The removable memory module of claim 17, wherein the steered networkidentification is for use by the mobile equipment in lieu of use of theoperator-controlled list of prioritized roaming network identificationsin an automatic network selection procedure of the mobile equipment. 19.The removable memory module of claim 17, comprising a SubscriberIdentity Module or Universal Subscriber Identity Module.
 20. Theremovable memory module of claim 17, wherein each network identificationcomprises a Mobile Network Code and a Mobile Country Code.
 21. Theremovable memory module of claim 17, wherein each network identificationcorresponds to a Public Land Mobile Network.
 22. A method for use insteering user equipment to a steered wireless communication network bynetwork equipment of a wireless communication network which is a homecommunication network of the user equipment, the user equipment beingconfigured to operate with use a home network identification, anoperator-controlled list of prioritized network identifications, and auser-controlled list of prioritized network identifications, the methodcomprising the acts of: identifying that the user equipment is operatingin one region of a plurality of roaming regions through a visitedwireless communication network of the roaming region; and causing asteered network identification corresponding to a steered wirelesscommunication network of the roaming region to be sent through thevisited wireless communication network to the user equipment, so thatthe steered wireless communication network is selected in an automaticnetwork selection procedure of the user equipment for usercommunications, the steered network identification not being part of theuser-controlled and operator-controlled lists of prioritized networkidentifications in the user equipment and having priority over theoperator-controlled list of prioritized network identifications.
 23. Themethod of claim 22, wherein the automatic network selection procedure ofthe user equipment selects the wireless communication networkcorresponding to the steered network identification for usercommunications in lieu of selecting and operating with a wirelesscommunication network with use of the operator-controlled list ofprioritized roaming network identifications for the user communications.24. The method of claim 22, wherein the steered network identificationcomprises a mobile network code and a mobile country code correspondingto the steered wireless communication network.
 25. The method of claim22, wherein the act of causing the steered network identification to besent comprises the further act of causing a short message service (SMS)message containing the steered network identification to be sent. 26.The method of claim 22, wherein the steered network identification isstored in a Subscriber Identity Module or Universal Subscriber IdentityModule.
 27. The method of claim 22, which is embodied as a computerprogram product comprising a computer readable medium and computerprogram instructions stored in the computer readable medium which areexecutable by one or more processors of the network equipment. 28.Network equipment for a wireless communication network, the wirelesscommunication network being a home communication network for a userequipment which is configured to operate with use a home networkidentification, an operator-controlled list of prioritized networkidentifications, and a user-controlled list of prioritized networkidentifications, the network equipment being configured to: identifythat the user equipment is operating in one region of a plurality ofroaming regions through a visited wireless communication network of theroaming region; and cause a steered network identification correspondingto a steered wireless communication network of the roaming region to besent through the visited wireless communication network to the userequipment, so that the steered wireless communication network isselected in an automatic network selection procedure of the userequipment for user communications, the steered network identificationnot being part of the user-controlled and operator-controlled list ofprioritized network identifications and having priority over theoperator-controlled list of prioritized network identifications in theautomatic network selection procedure.
 29. The network equipment ofclaim 28, wherein the automatic network selection procedure attempts toselect and operate with the wireless communication network with use ofthe steered network identification for the user communications in lieuof use of the operator-controlled list of prioritized roaming networkidentifications for the user communications.
 30. The network equipmentof claim 28, wherein the steered network identification comprises amobile network code and a mobile country code corresponding to thesteered wireless communication network.
 31. The network equipment ofclaim 28, wherein the act of causing the steered network identificationto be sent comprises the further act of causing a short message service(SMS) message containing the steered network identification to be sent.32. The network equipment of claim 28, wherein the act of causing thesteered network identification to be sent comprises the further act ofcausing an over-the-air download message containing the steered networkidentification to be sent.
 33. The network equipment of claim 28,wherein the steered network identification is in addition to a list ofprioritized roaming network identifications stored in the userequipment.
 34. The network equipment of claim 28, wherein the steerednetworks identification is for use in the automatic network selectionprocedure for the user equipment which includes the acts of: in lieu ofattempting to select a wireless communication network with use of theoperator-controlled list of prioritized roaming network identificationsfor the user communications, attempting to select the steered wirelesscommunication network with use of the steered networks identificationfor the user communications by: performing a scanning operation toreceive one or more network identifications corresponding to one or moreavailable wireless communication networks in a coverage area of the userequipment; comparing the one or more received network identificationsfrom the scanning operation with the steered network identification; andif a match between a received network identification and the steerednetwork identification is identified from the act of comparing,selecting and registering with a wireless communication networkcorresponding to the received network identification that matches thesteered network identification.
 35. The network equipment of claim 28,further comprising: a database which stores a plurality of differentsteered network identifications respectively associated with a pluralityof different roaming regions.
 36. A method for use in steering userequipment to a steered wireless communication network by networkequipment of a wireless communication network which is a homecommunication network of the user equipment, the user equipment beingconfigured to operate with a home network identification, anoperator-controlled list of prioritized network identifications,and auser-controlled list of prioritized network identifications the methodcomprising the acts of: identifying that the user equipment is operatingin one region of a plurality of regions through a wireless communicationnetwork of the region; and causing a steered network identificationcorresponding to a steered wireless communication network of theidentified region to be sent through the wireless communication networkto the user equipment, so that the steered wireless communicationnetwork is selected in an automatic network selection procedure of theuser equipment for user communications, the steered networkidentification not being part of the user-controlled andoperator-controlled lists of prioritized network identifications in theautomatic network selection procedure.
 37. The method of claim 36,wherein the wireless communication network comprises a visited wirelesscommunication network and the region comprises a roaming region of theuser equipment.
 38. The method of claim 36, wherein the wirelesscommunication network comprises a home wireless communication networkand the region comprises a home region of the user equipment.